Saturday 25 May 2019

One Daily Positive - Week 21 South Africa to Dubai

I've been very sad and can't stop thinking about the death of a long term twitter friend, Spencer. @sahdandproud @adadcalledspen and @spencerpeegee I first met him at Britmums in 2013 and sat with him at the award ceremony when he won best writer. Our last twitter conversation was in February, but as with all things twitter, tweeters are always there and when they die, they are missed. I just can't imagine what he was going through and what his family are going through now.

When we moved from South Africa to Dubai it was winter here and summer there and the temperatures pretty much the same. I loved my freedom for the first time in 4 years. I could catch a bus, train, walk and just explore without any fear for my personal safety. Then summer came and I was restricted to an indoor life under the air con, with sitting outside impossible and I realise now that I'm back in South Africa that my quality of life in regards to what I can do and the friends I have here and the opportunities to go on safari, walk the dog, sit in parks, enjoy the garden is far greater.

The weather has been much cooler in Dubai than I'd expected, still limited with my activities due to Ramadan, but surprised with how much time we've spent in the garden.

139 Sunday Awake most of the night with Bush babies scrambling over the tin roof. A friend joined us and we headed off to Dinokeng in search of the Big 5. We saw only giraffe, antelope and warthog, but spent 4 hours in a lodge by a waterhole eating, drinking and talking.

140 Monday Out to meet a friend for coffee and a catch up, it's been a while. Visited the Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, made a wrong turn and had a nerve wracking drive through the city centre. Traffic is worse there than in Dubai.

141 Tuesday Off for a drive around our old neighbourhood, nothing has changed, had a long lunch with my friend who I'm staying with and spent the evening washing teddy bears and drinking wine in the garden.

142 Wednesday Popped out for coffee and a last minute drop off at the storage unit. Said my goodbyes to the family I've been staying with, collected by another friend and taken to the airport for my night flight back to Dubai.
I have to pay to wrap my suit case on advice from the airlines to stop items being stolen between it's journey from check in to the plane.

143 Thursday An uneventful, but full flight, with a bit of sleep. Back home by 8am, unpacked, showered and had a nap, went out for coffee and a food shop. Started repacking my case for the next trip in June.
Back home and a view from the balcony

144 Friday We went out for a coffee mid morning and did some more food shopping. Lazy afternoon and then out for dinner with Peter's work colleagues and a few drinks.

145 Saturday A lazy morning and a trip to the cinema to see the Ted Bundy movie. I know the story very well, I have an interest in serial killers and psychopaths. Zac Efron's acting was fantastic, there's no gore or violence, it focus's on his girlfriend at the time of the crimes and tells the story of the prosecution. Watched Newport County play football, had a BBQ and an early night.

On the blog this week:

I've been tweeting from @wearexpats account this week and until Monday at 11am. each week there is a new host giving an insight into expat life abroad. I've met some really interesting people.

Rape Care Kits for women for when they get raped - the reality of life in South Africa.

I sent post cards this week. The woman at the counter said delivery time was 3-10 days, from experience it's more likely to be years, if at all. Keeping in touch as an expat.





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18 comments:

  1. It was so sad to read about Spencer. I only knew him through Twitter.
    It must be so hard staying indoors during the summer in Dubai.
    It sounds like you had a fab time in Dinokeng. I don't like the sound of the traffic in the city centre though.
    The Ted Bundy movie is on my list of things that I need to see.

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    1. Yes indeed was a shock to hear about Spencer. The evenings in Dubai are still just about manageable for short periods outside. The Pretoria City Centre was a scary drive through.

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  2. It it so sad about Spencer. I remember him winning the award in 2013 too. I don't think I was sat at his table, but I was sat very close. As you say, I can't imagine what he was going through, or what his family must be going through now.
    It looks like you had a lovely last few days in South Africa. I would like to see the Ted Bundy film too. I read a lot of books about serial killers when I was younger, but gave them up when I had the kids.

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    1. Spencer really was a lovely guy, one of the first dad bloggers I met

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  3. I only knew Spencer through Twitter although I think I might have been at that Britmums too. Such a shame! Must be a shock coming back to Dubai after winter in South Africa.

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    1. I think I've adjusted well now to the heat and the fact I'm off again shortly does help. So sad about Spencer, a lovely guy

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  4. Sounds like a busy but enjoyable week meeting up with friends. I definitely couldn't hack being in a hot country. Even just at 20C I feel hot here.

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    1. I'll never get used to this heat, although you do get used to it

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  5. That sounds like a lovely meet up with friends. That sounds sooooo hot. I am not sure I would be able to sleep there. xx

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  6. Nice to spend a few last days in your old neighbourhood.
    So you either pay to wrap in plastic or have stuff stolen - a no win really.
    Bob looks very relaxed

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    1. yep, it's a no win situation with the luggage

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  7. Sounds like an eventful but good week.

    I didn't really interact with Spencer but we followed each other....my heart breaks for all who knew him.

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  8. Why don't the airlines do more to protect luggage?! Hire staff that don't steal or install cameras to catch them... Sorry to hear about Spencer #project365

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    1. it's really infuriating, someone is making money off the thefts by making as pay to wrap the bags

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  9. I am sorry to hear about your friend. Sounds like you had an eventual trip to South Africa, I would love to go on safari one day. I often wondered why people wrap their suitcases now I know, what a pain.

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    1. it's good when i arrive in the UK in winter with a wrapped case as it keeps it dry, but such a pain to get off, if you ever get a chance to do a safari, you really should take it up

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